What Is ASTM E11?

ASTM E11 is the Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves, published by ASTM International, that defines the required wire diameters, opening sizes, and manufacturing tolerances for test sieves used in particle size analysis. It establishes the US Standard Mesh series — the numbering system (4 mesh, 20 mesh, 100 mesh, 325 mesh, etc.) that the entire vibratory screening industry relies on to specify screen cloth for production separators.

First published in 1910 and regularly updated, ASTM E11 covers woven wire test sieves from 125 mm (5 inches) down to 20 microns. The standard specifies nominal opening sizes, permissible variations in average opening, maximum individual opening tolerances, and wire diameters for each sieve designation. While ASTM E11 technically governs laboratory test sieves, its mesh designations are universally adopted by production screen manufacturers including ScreenerKing, Sweco, Kason, Midwestern Industries, and every other vibratory screener OEM in North America.

Key ASTM E11 Sieve Designations

The table below lists commonly referenced ASTM E11 sieve designations used in vibratory screening, with their nominal openings and standard wire diameters.

Why This Matters in Vibratory Screening

ASTM E11 is the foundation of screen specification in North America. Every time you order a replacement screen by mesh size, you are referencing ASTM E11 dimensions whether you realize it or not.

• Consistent specifications — ASTM E11 ensures that a 100 mesh screen from ScreenerKing has the same nominal opening (149 microns) as a 100 mesh screen from any other manufacturer. This interchangeability is essential when sourcing replacement screens for Sweco, Kason, Midwestern Industries, or Cleveland Vibratory separators.
• Quality assurance — The standard defines two tolerance classes: Compliance Grade (standard) and Inspection Grade (tighter tolerances). Inspection Grade sieves are used for laboratory sieve analysis where precise particle size measurement is critical.
• Wire diameter selection — ASTM E11 specifies standard wire diameters for each mesh size, which directly affects open area percentage and screen life. Heavier wire diameters increase durability but reduce throughput.
• Regulatory compliance — Many quality systems in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing require that screening operations reference ASTM E11 specifications in their procedures and documentation.

Related Glossary Terms

• ISO 3310 — The international equivalent standard for test sieves
• US Standard Mesh — The mesh numbering system defined by ASTM E11
• Tyler Mesh — An older mesh sizing standard that parallels ASTM E11
• Mesh Size — The number of openings per linear inch in woven wire screen cloth
• Wire Diameter — The thickness of screen wire specified by ASTM E11 for each mesh size
• Sieve Analysis — The laboratory test method that relies on ASTM E11 sieves

ASTM E11 FAQs

What is ASTM E11 and why does it matter for screening?

ASTM E11 is the standard that defines the wire diameters, opening sizes, and tolerances for woven wire test sieves used in particle size analysis. It matters because it establishes the US Standard Mesh series that the entire vibratory screening industry uses to specify replacement screens. When you order a 100 mesh screen, ASTM E11 defines what that means: a 149-micron opening with a specific wire diameter.

What is the difference between ASTM E11 and ISO 3310?

ASTM E11 is the North American standard and uses the US Standard Mesh numbering system. ISO 3310 is the international equivalent and designates sieves by their opening size in millimeters or microns rather than by mesh number. The actual sieve opening sizes are harmonized between the two standards at most common sizes, but the naming conventions differ.

Does ASTM E11 apply to production screens or only test sieves?

ASTM E11 technically applies to test sieves used in laboratory sieve analysis, not production screens. However, the mesh designations, wire diameters, and opening sizes defined in ASTM E11 are universally used to specify production screen cloth for vibratory screeners. When a screen manufacturer lists a mesh size, they are referencing the ASTM E11 standard dimensions.